Legend of the Dragon Slayer: The Origin Story of Dragonwatch (Dragonwatch) by Brandon Mull, Brandon Dorman (Illustrations)

 

In ancient times, dragons posed the ultimate threat to the rest of the magical world. During the Dragon War, a group of specially trained Dragon Slayers banded together to stand against the onslaught. They called themselves Dragonwatch, and they succeeded in confining the majority of dragons to sanctuaries. Legend of the Dragon Slayer is the illustrated story of the very first Dragon Slayer who took to battle.

As the legend tells it, powerful monsters terrorized the kingdom of Selona on all sides. An unlikely hero named Konrad, the cobbler's son, accepts the king's challenge to defeat the monsters: fierce yeti, a merciless vampire, a dangerous gorgon, and a deadly phoenix. But Selona's biggest threat will come from the Dragon, and it will take every ounce of wit and experience that Konrad has acquired to stand a chance against such a formidable foe.

Legend of the Dragon Slayer features a never-before-published catalog of Dragon Slayers, a detailed map of the kingdom of Selona, and lavish full-color illustrations. Fantasy fans will love this stand-alone tale of valor, destiny, and magic.

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What a fun book!  This is a collection of stories all about Konrad and how he grew into a dragon slayer in the kingdom of Selona.  His adventures helped the kingdom expand by defeating the monsters that surrounded it.  

Konrad really stepped up to the plate when nobody else would.  He was a good defender (an even better storyteller) and a great hero to root for.  His legacy established the Fair Folk of Fablehaven and that's how it all ties together.  If you haven't read the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch series, you really should.  It is fantasy at it's best and suitable for all ages and the perfect series to read aloud to younger children.  This book has such beautiful illustrations!  It is fun to see the story spring to life through the vibrant pictures.  I wish I could show you the pictures!

I first obtained this book as an ebook for review and it was okay but I was so excited when I was offered a physical book for review as well.  The book is beautiful from front to back cover and I loved being able to hold it in my hands.  It's one of those kind of books and definitely one you want to add to your collection- especially if you own this series!

Content:  mild peril

About the author/illustrator:

 

Brandon Mull has worked as a comedian, a filing clerk, a patio installer, a movie promoter, a copywriter, and briefly as a chicken stacker. For a couple of years, he lived in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile, where he learned Spanish and juggling. He and his wife Erlyn and their large family and a dog named Buffy the Vampire Slayer live in a Fablehaven-style house with an attic filled with peculiar artifacts. Brandon is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Dragonwatch, Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series.

Brandon Dorman grew up near Tacoma, WA and is the dad of three boys and one girl. He is best known for his book cover art on popular series like Fablehaven, Goosebumps, and The Land of Stories. He is an accomplished visual storyteller who has illustrated 21 picture books.

Champion of the Titan Games (Dragonwatch #4) by Brandon Mull

 

Who will win the battle between Dragons and Giants?

As the war with the dragons intensifies, all eyes are turning to Titan Valley for help. A dragon sanctuary unlike any of the others, this one is home to enslaved dragons ruled by the powerful Giant Queen, one of the five monarchs of the magical world. In addition, it houses the arena for the Titan Games, a series of gladiator-style battles presided over by none other than Humbuggle, the demon who stole Seth’s memories!

Seth is seeking for his memories. Kendra is seeking for Seth. And everyone is seeking to stop the dragons from taking over the world—everyone but Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who has his own devious agenda. In the monstrous battle between giants and dragons, who wins? In the race to retrieve a magical talisman that could help win the war, can Kendra trust Seth? Will they find the answers they desperately need in a realm of trolls and titans? Or are more betrayals imminent?

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There are some full on fans of this series out there and my husband is one of them.  He's loved this series since the very beginning of Fablehaven.  I am not the biggest fantasy fan so this isn't a series I'm naturally drawn to but I've bought them (or agreed to review them) all because, well, husband.  😊  So, now that you know that you know this little tidbit, the following is my husband's review of this book.  

The world of Fablehaven is always so much fun. A new book release in the world of Fablehaven is something I anticipate with eagerness. Brandon Mull does a good job writing the stories to include both Kendra and Seth. That being said, the previous story, Master of the Phantom Isle felt more like it focused on Kendra. For me, Champion of the Titan Games seems more a story for Seth. Seth’s hunt for his memories takes him to exciting places with fun twists.  Can he look at things a certain way?  How should he respond to an unseen presence? 

The arena games are exciting with mysterious participants and secrets to be uncovered. With angry dragons, a looming giant threat, and the Wizenstone at stake, there most assuredly will be a fight. A flying ending with some special challenges provides the icing on the cake! Fans will love this book!   

This book is part of a series that should be read in order.  This book and series is perfect for all ages.  It has a 5-6th grade reading level but younger kids would love hearing this book read aloud.  And, as I stated above adults love this series as well.  😉

Content:  peril, mild violence

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

 

Master of the Phantom Isle (Dragonwatch #3) by Brandon Mull

 

Cursed by the Key of Forgetting, Seth has lost all memory of his past—his relationships, his experiences, and who he really is. For now he will align with his new mentor, Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who takes him to the Phantom Isle, the secret gateway to the Under Realm. Though Seth is not formally a prisoner, Ronodin wants to use him and his shadow charmer powers for his own dark ends.

Kendra is frantic to find her missing brother, but the quest will take her and her companions, including Warren, Tanu, and Vanessa, far from Wyrmroost to Crescent Lagoon—a recently fallen dragon sanctuary made up of many islands and underwater domains. Its caretaker has regained a foothold on one of the islands. If Kendra and her friends can save that sanctuary, they might uncover the answers they need to rescue Seth.

With each sanctuary the dragons overthrow, Celebrant, the Dragon King, comes closer to the dawn of a new Age of Dragons. With the forces of darkness on the march, can Kendra and her allies gather enough power to win the epic dragon war?

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Dragonwatch, Master of the Phantom Isle doesn’t miss a beat, picking up right where the last book left off.  The dragons are still at it, seeking domination, and it’s hard to imagine a greater threat.  Though in this adventure a greater threat does reveals itself.  Can Kendra stand against this dark threat without the help of Seth?

For Seth, life is hard when dealing with memory loss and the choices one makes under those circumstances gets to the heart of the character.  It is fun exploring Seth’s character more in depth when past choices can no longer influence the present ones.  The true desires of Seth’s heart manifest themselves.

The book takes the reader to tropical places with beaches and palm trees but it’s certainly no vacation with peril everywhere ranging from plants that want to eat you, to the undead and a raging triclops.  Yet in the midst of all the trials Kendra is still willing to give her all for her brother.

From underwater adventures, to deep and dark places from your worst nightmares, this book provides another fun read from Brandon Mull.  There are even a few surprise twists! This is a great series and adds another prized addition to the Fablehaven / Dragonwatch series.  I look forward to reading the series again; Master of the Phantom Isle gets an A+.

This is a series you must read in order as each book builds on the previous book.

Content:  peril, mild violence

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.  

About the Author:

Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his four children and a dog named Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

www.brandonmull.com  Follow the author on Instagram @writerbrandon and Facebook @authorbrandonmull  

Wrath of the Dragon King (Dragonwatch #2) by Brandon Mull

 

War has come to the dragon sanctuaries of the world and nowhere is the danger more intense than at Wyrmroost. After a humiliating defeat at the hands of Kendra and Seth, Celebrant, King of Dragons, prepares to unleash his fury and take control of his native preserve. Armed with information from a new ally Ronodin, the dark unicorn Celebrant seeks a legendary talisman the dominion stone.

However, the powerful stone is protected by a cursed castle. Upon entering the castle fortress, an unyielding power strips all magical beings of their power and forces Celebrant to take his human avatar form. Kendra and Seth must enter the cursed castle as well. The race is on. Will the two young caretakers rally enough support from the creatures of Wyrmroost against the greatest threat the magical community has faced in ages? Can they foil Celebrant's plan and beat him to the mighty dominion stone? Or will all hope be shattered by the wrath of the Dragon King?

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 Review by Brandon (my husband):

 Many people have a place they love to go where imagination runs wild and reality is forgotten, the Fablehaven universe is that place for me, I’m so glad Dragowatch continues the adventure.  This is a middle grade fantasy adventure series.

Seth is back along with his humor; his interactions with other characters are pure entertainment. Kendra helps balance Seth with her thoughtful nature and if I had a journey through the Bewilderness I’d pick Kendra every time. Thank goodness for the somber knight and his trusty ride! Teamwork is on full display as a group of friends work together to solve mysteries and win a contest with the world at stake.

At this point I feel like I’m part of the family. As with the other Fablehaven adventures, Wrath of the Dragon King is well written and even though I’m not a “young” reader I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone that can read… lots of fun. 

 - I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

From Aimee:  This reviewing gig is becoming a family affair!  I recently added my daughter, Jaalah, into my reviewing schedule and now I've added my husband, Brandon too.  He loves this series and when I was asked if I wanted to read and review this book, I had to say no because I am just completely booked up for reviews.  Brandon was not happy with me.  At all.  So, he offered to review it and the publisher agreed (after laughing a bit at our proposal).  This is his first review and I have to say that I'm pretty proud of him!  It only took him two tries to get enough in there to satisfy me.  haha